History
Interview with TPYC Commodore Bill Lee in 2011.
Transpac (TP): Congratulations on your appointment as TPYC Commodore. Any big news for the 2011 race???
Bill Lee (BL): We are looking forward to a great race is 2011. To make things easier for first time and returning entries, we have made two changes. First, a sat phone can be carried in place of a SSB if it is left on full time. Second, the celestial sight is optional rather than required -- serious navigators can enter their sights in a contest. On the organizational end, the NOR has already been issued, discussions are in place with sponsors, and the Honolulu Committee had their first meeting. At this point, everything is falling together.
TP: How many Transpac races have you competed in??
BL: I have raced 5 Transpacs and one Multihull Transpac. My first Transpac was in 1971 on the Cal 37 Quasar owned by Art Biehl. They had been second to Jon Andron on Argonaut in 1969 and Art was focused to win this one. Our crew included George Olson who went on to build the Olson 30 and 40s, Don Snyder who was our winning navigator in '77, and Larry Wright who went on to be a serious Express 37 racer on San Francisco Bay. We had a great time, but unfortunately '71 was a slow year both for wind and for us.
TP: Of all your yacht designs, which one would you say is your favorite??
BL: Merlin of course. More people have had more fun sailing fast on Merlin than any other boat.
TP: Tell us about a historic turning point in racing across the Pacific.
BL: Certainly the most dramatic year for me was 1977. There were 5 first to finish contenders, two battlewagon maxis and three flyweights, Windward Passage, Kialoa III, Ragtime, Drifter and Merlin. We knew it would be good racing because in 1971 Windward Passage and Ragtime had finished within 5 minutes of each other. This was the battle between the old and the new. The heavy boats with big rigs vs the light boats with little rigs. All in the days of amateur crews, real food, Dacron sails, and celestial navigation for real. Tune in next time for more of the story.
TP: What words of wisdom would you provide for a "First Timer??
BL: Unless you are the owner, a first timer needs a crew slot on a boat. If you are really good, of course, you get an invite on a serious competitor. But what if you are a more recreational sailor looking for a great adventure? Ask around your yacht club. Maybe there is an owner who would like to go, but lacks crew, organization, new sails, energy to prepare the boat, and a team to get the boat back home. A group with varied skills can often help an owner. The handicapping system treats a wide range of boats fairly, so while a Cal 40 isn't a TP52, all have a chance to be competitive in the race.
TP: When you hit the dock in Honolulu. What's your preference, cold beer or Mai Tai?
BL: Mai Tai of course. But for serious Mai Tai connoisseurs, beware of MC4, a special formula which our hosts researched and prepared for us one year. Also be aware that for serious Mai Tai evaluation the least desirable finish time is 0600. You have been up all night, you hit the dock at 8AM and get started, but before you know it, the hot sun is beating down and the breeze has yet to fill. They taste so good, but halfway thru the second drink the men in white coats take you to your hotel in a wheel barrow.
TP: Thanks for your time Bill.
BL: My pleasure!